Key Takeaways
- The Space Force’s fiscal 2026 budget plan pauses the acquisition of a third batch of satellites from the Space Development Agency.
- Alternative communication methods are being explored, including MILNET, a proposed network potentially featuring nearly 500 satellites.
- Concerns have been raised over MILNET’s reliance on SpaceX technology and the implications for competition and open architecture in satellite systems.
Budget Shift and Future Planning
The Space Force has introduced a significant change in its fiscal 2026 budget request, which pauses plans to acquire a third batch of communication satellites through the Space Development Agency (SDA). Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman revealed this development during a congressional hearing, informing senators that the service is investigating new options to enhance communication capabilities for ground troops, particularly through the use of commercial small satellites in low Earth orbit.
Saltzman expressed that the Space Force is evaluating alternative routes to effectively scale communication solutions to meet larger data transport requirements. One key focus is a largely undisclosed program known as MILNET, envisioned as a space data network potentially comprising nearly 500 satellites. This program involves SpaceX’s Starshield, a military variant of its Starlink service, which is already contracted for satellite provision, terminal supply, and operational support.
Meanwhile, the SDA’s transport layer remains a central effort aimed at demonstrating that a competitively built constellation of small satellites can fulfill the military’s tactical satellite communications (SATCOM) needs. Currently, the SDA operates 19 transport satellites and aims to launch an additional 126 as part of its upcoming phase, Tranche 1, starting late this summer. Plans are also in place for another 182 satellites, but the proposal to procure Tranche 3 satellites in 2026 is now on hold pending further evaluation.
During the Senate hearing, concerns surfaced regarding MILNET’s heavy reliance on SpaceX satellites. Senator Chris Coons raised the issue that it lacks the competitive and open architecture essential for leveraging a dynamic space ecosystem. In defense, Saltzman and Air Force Secretary Troy Meink acknowledged the pause in future SDA satellite acquisitions while assuring that no final decisions have been made regarding the overall direction of the program. They emphasized that other elements related to satellite capabilities will continue progressing as scheduled.
Meink clarified that the MILNET initiative is not restricted to a single system or acquisition method, indicating that strategies for future implementation are still under review. The budget request allocates $277 million for MILNET, marking its debut in the Space Force’s public funding documents, though specific details regarding what this funding will cover remain unclear.
Although the Space Force has released initial information on its fiscal 2026 budget, a more detailed breakdown regarding funding allocations for MILNET and its strategic implications is still awaited. As the Space Force develops its strategic vision and capabilities, ensuring a balance between commercial partnerships and competitive offerings will be crucial in shaping the future of military satellite communications.
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